Why Jewish arts should matter to all of us

I stumbled into the world of Jewish creativity almost by accident five years ago, when I set up a small Jewish fringe festival. Once inside, I couldn’t believe what I’d been missing. Across Britain, from tiny rehearsal rooms to major venues, Jewish artists are making work that’s bold, funny, moving and original. Plays that rethink tradition, films that challenge stereotypes, music that weaves old melodies into new rhythms — a restless energy that feels both ancient and utterly fresh. Now, five years later, I find myself working with a wonderful team of deeply creative people to help shape a new type of Jewish arts organisation.

Of course, these days there are terrible stories of cancellations, bullying and antisemitism, that rightly make the headlines. And there are vitally important organisations responding to these challenges. But they can’t be the whole story. At our recent launch event, we heard the same phrase again and again, ‘It’s so good to have something positive to talk about.’ In other words, not to be defined by those who hate but by what we create.

Because here’s the thing about Jewish arts: they matter in ways that are hard to define but impossible to ignore. 

And we’re unlocking new support through the Big Jewish Arts Fund, encouraging donors to invest directly in Jewish creativity so that art and imagination can flourish on their own terms. And to do that, we will work with all the wonderful existing organisations championing Jewish creativity and see how a combined voice can unlock new funding and new ways of thinking. Crucially, this isn’t about diverting funds from others. UKJAF will open up new ways for donors to engage directly while at the same time growing the overall pool of support for Jewish creativity across the UK.
But beyond funding, there’s something deeper at stake. If Jewish life is to thrive, artists need a seat — and a say — at the communal planning tables, nationally and locally. Not one “unified voice,” but many, each adding their perspective to shaping how British Jewish life grows. That diversity of imagination is what makes the arts so exciting — and it’s exactly what our communal conversations need most.